Scuba Diver Missing Off Catalina Island

CATALINA ISLAND, CA - A scuba diver went missing off Catalina Island on Tuesday.

The diver was reported missing just before noon about three miles away off the island near Ship Rock, an area popular with divers, according to Lifeguard Specialist Lidia Barillas of the Lifeguards Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

A lifeguard dive team was at the scene conducting a search along with Baywatch and sheriff’s department units and U.S. Coast Guard personnel, Barillas said.

Divers are reminded to:

• never dive alone;
• know equipment and make sure it’s been serviced;
• dive within one’s abilities; and
• make a plan and tell someone about it so authorities can be alerted if a problem arises.

--City News Service, photo via Pixabay